Campus Forum to be held on online education Nov. 9

Posted Oct. 27, 2015 at 5:12 p.m.

BOONE—A campus forum titled “Online Teaching: Issues, Conflicts, and Controversies for Faculty, Students, and the Public” will be held Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Belk Library and Information Commons room 114. The forum is organized by the Appalachian State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). This event is free and open to the public.

“Online education is on the verge of revolutionizing traditional college teaching. On the one hand, it creates many unprecedented opportunities,” said Michael Behernt, AAUP chapter president. “On the other hand, it has given rise to considerable concern. In particular, many faculty worry about the implications of online education for the nature of their profession.”

The aim of this forum is to explore and give voice to multiple and divergent perspectives on how online education will affect the academic profession through presentations by professors and administrators with expertise in this area. A public discussion will follow.

Specifically, the panel hopes to explore concrete recommendations for college and departmental policy statements on online education.

Forum speakers will include:

Dr. Jeffrey Bortz, Department of History
Dr. Catherine Fountain, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Dr. Sandie Gravett, Department of Philosophy and Religion
Dr. Nickolas Jordan, Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling
Dr. Colin Ramsey, Department of English
Matthew Rascoff, vice president of the Office of Learning Technology and Innovation, University of North Carolina (via Skype)
Dr. Hank Reichman, first vice president of AAUP; chair of AAUP’s Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure; professor emeritus of history, California State University, East Bay (via Skype)

AAUP has a longstanding interest in the professional implications of online education. Some of its policy statements, which may be addressed at the forum, include:

For more information about the forum or Appalachian’s AAUP chapter, contact Dr. Michael C. Behrent, AAUP chapter president and associate professor of history, at behrentmc@appstate.edu or 828-719-5759.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.